Happy Samoan Language Week!

We're proud to celebrate the important role that Samoan language and culture plays in New Zealand.

The launch of Samoan Language Week at Fale o Samoa in Mangere highlighted the importance of language in sustaining the community’s traditions and cultural identity.

The theme for the week this year was, “Alofa atu nei. Alofa mai taeao”, or in English, “Kindness given, kindness gained”.

“Our language is key to our Samoan identity and the protection and preservation of our values and traditions,” says Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio.

Samoan Language Week was first started in 2007 and continues to grow in reach.

The 2013 census confirmed that 60 percent of Samoans were able to hold an everyday conversation in the language.

This year’s Samoan Language Week, Le Vaiaso O le Gagana Samoa will involve promotions at primary and secondary schools, tertiary institutions and universities, public libraries, churches, social clubs and community groups throughout the country.

Founded by The Association for the Maintenance and Teaching of the Samoan Language in Aotearoa, Fa’alapotopotonga mo le A’oa’oina o le Gagana Samoa i Aotearoa (FAGASA), institutional support has also grown over the years.

This year’s Samoan Language Week was supported by the Human Rights Commission, Auckland Council, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Ara Institute, the Ministry of Education, Victoria University Wellington and the Pasifika Education Centre.